Abstract: A method and apparatus for and aggregates in a fluid medium. The present invention employs an ultrasonic device to efficiently breakup particle agglomerates by driving the ultrasonic signal over a small range of frequencies around the acoustic slow wave frequency of the saturated agglomerate. At this frequency, the fluid vibrates out of phase with the solid and is forced out through the pore structure in the agglomerate. This relative fluid motion to exert high viscous stresses at the particle-particle contact points which leads to fracture of the agglomerate and the redispersion of the individual particles. The apparatus includes a dispersing vessel containing aggregates of particles in a fluid, a sonic member for applying an ultrasonic signal in said dispersing vessel for separating the aggregates to form dispersed particles.

Abstract: A method for drying a porous solid saturated with a fluid including the steps of subjecting the saturate porous image to an ultrasonic signal to release the fluid from the saturated porous image layer; removing the fluid from said saturated porous solid, said subjecting step includes applying a predefined acoustic slow wave frequency based upon the particle sizes in said porous image layer thereby causing the fluid to move from an interior of said porous particulate image to an outer surface of said porous image, where fluid can be removed by conventional image.

Abstract: A vertical, centrifugal pump, which is suspended from a pedestal which has the pump-driver/motor set thereupon, is tied to limbs of the pedestal, by an adjustable, threaded rod and bracket. The tying arrangement creates a tension between the pump and the pedestal, resulting in a uniform, common system which has only one natural frequency.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided using an imaging member having a surface roughness which prevents the adhesion of toner particles, especially flat toner particles, during blade cleaning. The surface roughness is preferably defined by ##EQU1## and ##EQU2## wherein R is an average height of asperities of said surface, a.sub.nn is one-half the nearest neighbor distance between said asperities on said surface, K.sub.B is bulk modulus of the blade, .sigma. is Poisson's ratio of the toner composition, E is Young's modulus of the toner composition, t is an average thickness of flat particles in said toner composition, a.sub.f is an average radius of the flat particles, .mu. is an average of toner-blade and toner-surface friction coefficients, .GAMMA. is the Dupre work of adhesion between the surface and the flat particles, and .theta. is blade tip angle. The particular surface roughness prevents toner particles from developing a high surface energy on the imaging member surface.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool having a pivotally mounted magazine. The displacement of the magazine is used to actuate the tool when the nosepiece is in engagement with a workpiece. With the magazine travel kept to a minimum, the magazine is coupled to a cam lever which amplifies the displacement of the magazine. One portion of the cam lever is in engagement with a trip lever which forms a bearing surface for the trigger valve cartridge, which enables the tool when the magazine is in a drive position. The geometry of the cam lever causes a relatively greater displacement of the trip lever than the displacement of the magazine. The fastener driving tool also includes a poppet valve for controlling the compressed air flow into the drive cylinder. The top portion of the poppet is subject to the compressed air reservoir within the tool. A poppet chamber disposed at the bottom of the poppet controls the opening and closing of the poppet valve.

Abstract: A cleaning blade which is made from a material having a fibrous material randomly oriented throughout the material to prevent defect propagation. The cleaning blade is used in an electrophotographic printing device to remove residual particles from a photoconductive surface.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool having a pivotally mounted magazine. The displacement of the magazine is used to actuate the tool when the nosepiece is in engagement with a workpiece. With the magazine travel kept to a minimum, the magazine is coupled to a cam lever which amplifies the displacement of the magazine. One portion of the cam lever is in engagement with a trip lever which forms a bearing surface for the trigger valve cartridge, which enables the tool when the magazine is in a drive position. The geometry of the cam lever causes a relatively greater displacement of the trip lever than the displacement of the magazine. The fastener driving tool also includes a poppet valve for controlling the compressed air flow into the drive cylinder. The top portion of the poppet is subject to the compressed air reservoir within the tool. A poppet chamber disposed at the bottom of the poppet controls the opening and closing of the poppet valve.

Abstract: A trigger and safety interlock feature for a fastener driving tool having a power mechanism operable in a fastener driving stroke during which a fastener is driven into a workpiece. The invention comprises a manually operable trigger movable between a rest position and a firing position, a workpiece engageable safety member movable between a standby position and an actuating position, and a control mechanism associated with the power mechanism and the trigger for initiating a drive stroke only when the trigger moves from its rest position to its firing position.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (PZT) device operating at a relatively high frequency is coupled to the backside of a somewhat flexible imaging surface to cause localized vibration at a predetermined amplitude, and is positioned in close association with a cleaning enhancing electrostatic charging or discharging device associated with the imaging surface cleaning function, whereby residual toner and debris (hereinafter referred to as simply toner) is fluidized for enhanced electrostatic discharge of the toner and/or imaging surface, and released from the mechanical forces adhering the toner to the imaging surface.

Abstract: A cleaning blade is provided incorporating fiber fillers oriented in a single direction in an elastomeric matrix. In use, the cleaning blade is mounted for cleaning operation in a manner orienting the fiber fillers generally parallel to process direction. The material thereby provided is resistant to damage, and is relatively stiff in the process direction, while relatively conformable in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A fabricated split pump casing is disclosed in which the suction chamber and discharge chamber are both on the same side of the casing section. The volute is fabricated from a plurality of sections with the minor section of the volute being located within the suction chamber thereby providing maximum suction chamber area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing chemical analysis on selected fluids. The apparatus comprises a turntable which carries a plurality of cartridges containing test slides. A transfer mechanism is adapted to receive a slide from a selected cartridge, transport the slide to a metering device where a precise amount of fluid is deposited thereon, and then deliver the slide to a conveyor which moves the slide through an incubator. A radiometric reading of the slide is taken while it is in the incubator.

Abstract: An incubator is provided for use with a chemical analyzer of the type in which a fluid sample is metered onto a test slide which is analyzed after a suitable period of incubation. The incubator includes a temperature-controlled chamber having a conveyor mounted therein which comprises a plurality of slide holding members. A drive means for the conveyor is adapted to successively advance the slide holding members past load and unload slots located adjacent slide transfer mechanisms.